It was about 42 years ago that I first got to experience a community that would become a big part of my life. This community has done nothing but encourage and inspire me basically most of my life. This same community has done the same for you, your friends, your family, strangers and on and on. You probably have never realized it but they have. This community has become the backbone for so many people.
This community is all of those who go to your area gym. Where you go after a long day to workout and bounce those frustrations out of your life. All types are there; Black or white, young or old, big or small, it does not matter because they all have the same heart and love. No one judges and will do anything in the world for you. If you find this place, never leave.
Except in this case. My community is closing at the end of October. The owner passed away last spring and his family has decided to close the gym. I understand it but I don’t have to like it. Many of us got the message our community was closing by a simple note on the door that said on October 31 would be the last day.
It was a place that when I was battling severe depression and anxiety that I would go to and be met by those who uplifted me in every way possible. Not to be dramatic, but I shudder to think what would have happened had I not had that community.
It is a place where I have seen people absolutely transform their lives, because of caring people who encouraged those to no end. It is a place where two of the best personal trainers I have ever seen, Tye Fishler and Dion Harris, work tirelessly with their clients, helping them mentally as well as physically. Sure, the body changes these two guys have done for their clients is amazing but to let them know they can do anything and everything, my goodness, that is worth gold. I could go on and on about some off the most magnificent souls I have ever come across.
Places like this, locally owned, not a chain, are a rarity in our world. Nothing flashy; nothing out of this world; nothing that would get a million likes on a post. It is better than that because it is completely organic. A great gym made perfect by those souls who go there to push away stress and problems for a few hours.
If you have that community that you go to several times a week, you know what I am talking about and how fortunate you are. As for us, saying goodbye to that community we call our second home, will be bittersweet.
God will lead us to another place where those genuine and caring souls await and our journey continues. As He always has.